By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is seeking promising tech start-up companies across the world through the Unicorn Kingdom: Pathfinder Awards (UKPA) as part of efforts to boost its tech sector valued at $1 trillion.
In June 2023, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Ms Kemi Badenoch, during her keynote speech at London Tech Week 2023 unveiled the UKPA to identify the brightest and best tech companies around the world.
“Winners will be flown to the UK and given support to help them accelerate their business growth,” she said at the event.
Building on the success of the UK’s Tech Rocketship Awards, UKPA will be the UK’s Department for Business and Trade’s largest global awards for tech start-up companies ever.
UKPA is now open to start-up companies specialising in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Connected & Automated Mobility (CAM) Technology, Cyber Security and Digital Trade Solutions from across Africa are eligible to apply for a chance to pave their way into the $1 trillion UK tech sector.
Speaking on this, the UK Investment Minister, Mr Dominic Johnson said, “These awards are a fantastic opportunity for tech scale-up companies to join the UK’s thriving $1 trillion tech sector.”
“The awards are part of our commitment across government to help more businesses scale up and benefit from our highly skilled workforce and supportive regulatory system. The UK already has more unicorns than France and Germany combined, and our country continues to be a place where tech businesses from across the world come to thrive.”
On his part, the UK Trade Commissioner for Africa, Mr John Humphrey added that, “The African startup landscape is now front and centre as the world focusses on African know-how and innovation. From bustling tech hubs across the continent from North to South and East to West, young businesses are changing the game by providing innovative solutions to African and global problems, while creating jobs and empowering their communities in the process.”
“The launch of the Unicorn Kingdom: Pathfinder Awards across Africa, which offers tech start-ups from across this vibrant continent the opportunity to showcase their innovation and potential on a global scale, while opening up fascinating opportunities for the UK’s already vibrant tech ecosystem, is an exciting journey of growth and success,” he added.
A statement noted that winners will receive a tailormade programme in the UK that includes meetings with leading industry and government sector specialists, invites to VIP events and receptions – and expert support from DBT’s Global Entrepreneur Programme, which supports ambitious businesses to scale and grow from a UK global headquarters.
“They’ll also receive exposure and recognition through promotional activities run by DBT to accelerate their growth,” the statement added.
Aduragbemi Omiyale